# Straw-Strung Wrappers This Thai Pomelo Packaging Puts a Pesky Plant to Good Use By Amelia Roblin | Published 2012-06-20 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thai-pomelo-packaging References: [thedieline](http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2012/6/18/eco-sustainable-premium-thai-pomelo-packaging.html) & [yodcorporation](http://www.yodcorporation.com/) You can't get much more [eco-friendly](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/echo-pads) than this Thai Pomelo packaging concept unless you chucked the product wrapper entirely. Here we have a juicy Southeast Asian fruit that essentially comes with its own protective cover, yet the introduction of another material to decorate it really turns it into a commercial commodity. The practice could be wasteful if it wasn't for the source of the sheath being such a pest of a plant. The locally-grown water hyacinth overruns the rivers and must be pulled from its roots in great volumes anyway. The Yod Corporation's concept was to make use of this [castoff dried straw](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/by-osmosis) and tie it up to form Thai Pomelo packaging. The process would also create more work for locals and earn higher revenues on better dressed produce. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 45% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Eco-friendly Packaging:** Using natural materials like water hyacinth to create packaging presents an opportunity for businesses to meet consumer demand for more sustainable options. - **Local Sourcing:** Utilizing locally-grown water hyacinth as packaging material offers a chance for companies to support local communities and create economic opportunities. - **Creative Product Presentation:** Decorating fruits with straw-made packaging presents an innovative way to enhance the visual appeal of products and differentiate them in the market. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** Food and beverage companies can explore using natural packaging materials like water hyacinth to align with consumer preferences for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging. - **Agriculture:** The agriculture industry can benefit from utilizing water hyacinth as packaging material, providing a solution for managing and repurposing this invasive plant. - **Packaging and Design:** The packaging and design industry can capitalize on the opportunity to develop creative and visually appealing product packaging using natural materials like water hyacinth. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Plant Fiber Supermarket Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/silphie-packaging.md) - [Pulp-Based Wine Wraps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/perrier-jouet-1.md) - [Eco-Friendly Root Vegetable Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-packaging-concept.md) - [Recyclable Apple Packaging Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superfresh-growers-1.md) - [Separating Eco Carton Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bruk-sustainable-packaging-design.md) - [Paper-Made Shrink Wrap Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/traywrap.md) - [Seaweed-Crafted Watch Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/id-genve.md) - [Plastic-Free Food Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plasticfree-food-packaging.md) - [Plant-Based Fruit Preservers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organic-fruit-preserver.md)